9 February 2024

Dear Parent/Carer,

Year 10 Work Experience Reminder

Monday 8 – Friday 19 July 2024

I write to reinforce to you that your son/ward should be working incredibly hard to secure for
himself, either a single ten full days of work experience or two different placements of five days
in duration. This work experience will be undertaken in Summer Term 2, during the dates above.

Thank you to those parents/carers who have already assisted their son/ward with this process.
Work experience placements have been proven to be a valuable motivational tool in helping to
raise academic standards.

One of two things happens with work experience: first, students enjoy placement and, as a result,
become more focused in their academic studies when they return to school; or, second, students
dislike their placement, so much so that they work harder at school so as to not end up in that
type of job. From a school perspective, it is a win-win situation.

The Best Work Experience

Our evidence shows that the best work placements are those found by the student.

These are called student-led placements or “own finds”. These “own find” placements are usually
in an employment sector which the student has already expressed a real interest. In some cases
“own finds” may be linked to an employment sector of a family member or friend. Whatever the
link, students are strongly encouraged to make an “own find”. Tip: this is not about choosing a
career pathway – it’s about choosing a short-term work experience.

Deadline

It is crucial that students secure an “own find” placement ahead of the deadline – 12 noon on
Monday 19 February 2024. Please be aware that if a placement has not been found by this date,
students may not be permitted to take part in the Work Experience programme. In these
circumstances, students will need to attend school to work on their GCSE studies.

Wider Work Placement Offers

Some parents/carers are self-employed or already work in establishments which accept school
work placements. If this is the case, or you can offer one or more place, then I would greatly
appreciate if you could contact Jayne Spink with details of the company and the contact person.

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Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DOES MY SON/WARD DO NEXT?

• Complete the online Skills Audit as soon as possible.
• Hand in the “own find” form (attached to your email) if he has found a placement.

MY SON/WARD CAN’T FIND A WORK PLACEMENT – WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. Talk to your son/ward about his areas of interest in terms of employment sectors: retail,
engineering, sport, media, transport (logistics), business, legal, finance, education,
medicine, etc.
2. Speak to your own friends and family, either face-to-face or via social media. Use your
own social network to identify a placement. It could be a ten-day placement or two
different five-day placements.
3. Ask him to conduct some research into local companies which offer this employment. Ask
him to “cold call” or knock on doors. Ask your son/ward to show you his curriculum vitae
(CV) – ask him to share these with local companies.
4. Develop his resourcefulness – encourage him to do the hard work.

CAN MY SON/WARD WORK IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS?

Yes, but only if the family business is sizeable and has Employer Liability Insurance (ELI).

ISN’T THERE A LOT OF BUREAUCRACY AND PAPERWORK ABOUT WORK PLACEMENTS?

No – the only paperwork is the “own find” form. It is simple and easy.

***

Please return all “own find” forms via to the main school reception or via email to Jayne Spink
(jspink@isleworthsyon.org) before 12 noon on Monday 19 February 2024.

Thank you for your support in advance.

Yours faithfully,

Simon Fisher
Co-Headteacher